Rappel off the Grand Sierra Resort to help Special Olympics of Nevada

Jun. 18, 2012

Michael Stuart rappels from the roof of the Grand Sierra Resort in June 2011 as part of a fundraiser for Special Olympics, 'Over the Edge.' Participants pay $1,000 to rappel down 27 stories. / RGJ file

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Maggie Schwarz was strangely calm before the “Over the Edge for the Special Olympics of Nevada” event last year.

With no climbing experience whatsoever, she was suited up and ready to rappel down from the 27th floor at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino.

Schwarz, vice president of the Special Olympics of Nevada and the event’s director, then finally stepped to the edge of the building when the goosebumps sank in.

“Once you go over that first step, it’s really a doozy,” Schwarz said. “Anyone who tells you they’re not nervous, they’re probably fibbing a little bit. You can’t help but pause when you’re at the top.”

The second annual “Over the Edge” event is the primary fundraiser for the Northern Nevada chapter of the Special Olympics and it takes place June 29-30.

People who want to participate must either donate or raise $1,000 for the nonprofit. All funds go directly to Nevada’s Special Olympics competitions.

Forty-seven rappelers raised more than $60,000 last year, and Schwarz hopes to raise even more this year.

“It’s our most expensive and biggest fundraiser in Northern Nevada,” she said. “The potential for it is pretty significant.”

Schwarz said some initially shy away from the event because of the $1,000 fundraising minimum but added that it’s easier than people might think.

She said the youngest participant last year, a 14-year-old girl, raised the money in 24 hours. Last year, companies like AAA Insurance in Carson City held office fundraisers. Some have adopted the “Toss Your Boss” campaign.

Social media websites like Facebook and Twitter are also good tools to ask friends and family members.

“People come up with creative and interesting ideas to raise the $1,000,” Schwarz said. “Businesses rally around the event. Some use corporate dollars, other have more grass-root techniques.”

And the event is not specifically targeted for climbers.

No climbing experience is required, just ask Schwarz.

“I can’t ask people to do something that I haven’t done myself,” she said. “I’m one of the least-coordinated people in the world. I had never done rock climbing or any indoor climbing. But once you do it, it’s an incredible feeling.”

Grand Sierra Resort General Manager Steve Wolstenholme is also rappelling.

“There is really nothing more important than supporting the community,” Wolstenholme said. “Any time we can incorporate the ‘cool’ or ‘wild’ factor into our support, GSR is all in.”